Galalapagos Islands Landscapes - Quasar Expeditions Cruise

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their unique and diverse wildlife and vegetation, but the landscape is spectacular, too. These photos were taken on a week-long cruise of the Galapagos.

Most of the Galapagos Islands have both an English name and a Spanish name. In addition, some of the islands have an official name given to it by the Ecuadorian government in 1892. Printed and online material and maps may use any of these names. Here is a list of the islands we visited with their various English/Spanish/Official names:

Baltra

Mosquera

Chinese Hat=Sombrero Chino

James=Santiago=San Salvador

Tower=Genovesa

North Seymour=Seymour Norte

Barrington=Sante Fe

Floreana=Santa Maria=Charles

Indefatigable=Santa Cruz=Chavez

More Photos and Information from Quasar Expedition Cruise to the Galapagos Islands

Rock Formations on Chinese Hat Island

Sombrero Chino

Sombrero Chino is a small islet off the southeast corner of James Island.

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James Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Black Sand Beach on James Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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James Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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James Island Grotto

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

This rocky grotto on James Island in the Galapagos is home to some Galapagos fur seals.

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James Island Rock Formation

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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James Island Sunset

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Boats at Anchor in Darwin Bay of Genovesa (Tower) Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

Many places in the Galapagos seem almost deserted; Darwin Bay on Genovesa (also called Tower) Island was not one of them.

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Grotto in Darwin Bay of Genovesa (Tower) Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Darwin Bay Cliffs on Isla Genovesa (Tower)

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Prince Philip's Steps on Isla Genovesa (Tower)

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

These steep steps are used to climb to the top of the cliffs overlooking Darwin Bay. Once on top, visitors can hike along a trail and see many seabirds, vegetation, and lava formations.

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Top of the Cliff on Genovesa (Tower) Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

After climbing Prince Philip's Steps and walking across the cliff, visitors are treated to this view of the Pacific Ocean, along with many seabirds and interesting vegetation.

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Cacti on the Top of the Cliff on Genovesa (Tower) Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Sunset Over Genovesa (Tower) Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Beach on Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Beach on Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

Two small ships were on this Floreana Island beach on the same morning. Rare occurrence for us!

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Post Office on Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

Our guide Sam explains that this "post office" doesn't require stamps. Visitors write a post card or letter, and put it in the box. Then, they sort through all the other items to see if an addressee lives near them back home. If so, they take the card/letter and hand deliver it. Tradition started with the old sailing ships. I received a card I "mailed" 8 weeks after dropping it in the box. It wasn't hand-delivered, but was still fun to see it again and re-live the memories.

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Devil's Crown - Rocky Islet near Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

Devil's Crown is a small craggy islet, which is right off Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. This spot has great snorkeling.

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Using a Panga to Go Ashore at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

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Flamingo Lagoon on Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

Flamingos and other wading birds frequent this hyper-saline lagoon. Unfortunately, we had to use binoculars to get a good look at the only flamingos we saw. None were close to the trail.

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Beach on Floreana Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

This pristine beach looks perfect for swimming, but the waters were filled with dozens of sting rays and sharks. Turtles also lay their eggs in the dunes, so many birds were flying overhead.

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Isla Santa Fe Prickly Pear (Opuntia) Cacti

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

The tall vegetation on Santa Fe Island aren't palm trees, they are giant prickly pear (opuntia) cacti, many of which are over 30 feet high.

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Sunset

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

We saw some amazing sunsets from the Quasar Evolution on our expedition cruise of the Galapagos Islands.

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Mangroves near Baltra Island

Galapagos Islands (c) Linda Garrison

Our last morning on the Evolution, several of us boarded a panga before dawn to explore this mangrove forest. Seeing the area come alive as the sky lightened was a memorable ending to our cruise.